Board approves items for agenda

December 21, 2012

LEWISTOWN - During their semi-monthly business meeting on Thursday, the Mifflin County Commissioners approved the following agenda items:

An agreement between the county and Tuscarora Intermediate Unit No. 11 to provide a money management course for referred clients of Mifflin County Probation and Parole for 2013 at a cost not to exceed $5,640. According to Chief Parole Officer Larry Wolfe, the course is offered through the adult treatment court to help clients manage their money better. "This is part of the rehabilitation process so they don't re-enter the criminal justice system," Wolfe explained.

An agreement between the county and Tuscarora Intermediate Unit No. 11 for the delivery of job search assistance and instruction of clients of the Mifflin County Day Reporting Program for 2013 at a cost not to exceed $16,224. Wolfe said the five-week course teaches clients with criminal records how to deal with the job application process. "This allows some of these individuals to find work," Wolfe said. "We've seen a 65 to 70 percent success rate in finding employment for those who participate in and pass the course."

A payment processing service agreement with Value Payment Systems LLC to provide internet and phone based electronic payment services to the public. According to Nancy Laub of the Tax Claim Bureau, this service offers delinquent taxpayers a way to pay taxes with credit cards and then spread the payments out on a monthly basis. Laub said currently nine counties have adopted this option and $4.8 million in delinquent taxes have been collected. Commissioner Mark Sunderland added, "This is good for the taxpayer and good for the county. We'll get our money up front and they'll be able to pay monthly with their credit card company."

The reappointment of Jim Shilling of Lewistown to another one-year term on the SEDA-COG Board of Directors.

The reappointment of Wilda Fisher to another five-year term on on the Mifflin County Housing Authority.

The appointment of Steve Zeigler of Reedsville to a five-year term on the Mifflin County Airport Authority.

Appointments/reappointments of James Spendiff of Lewistown, Dan Dunmire of McVeytown and Mario Andre of Reedsville to the Mifflin County Planning Commission. Following the vote, Commissioner Otis Riden noted that Andre is replacing John Panizzo, who served several years on the commission. "I just want to publicly thank John for his efforts on the commission," Riden said. "He was an innovative thinker and had a lot of good ideas."

Following the voting session, Sunderland announced the county's 2013 general operating budget will be voted on during a special business meeting at 9 a.m. on Dec. 27.